Are you guys as obsessed with the Great British Bake Off as I am?
We just discovered this show recently, so I’ve been seriously binge watching all of the seasons. I’m sitting there screaming at my tv in support of these crazy talented bakers on the regular. I laugh when they laugh, I cry when they cry. I mean, I cry at commercials, too, but don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. It seems like they can do literally anything in the kitchen … except cut down on waste. Come on guys, for the love of the Queen, put the “cling film” down.
Maybe you actually do need piles and piles of acetate if you’re sculpting 3 foot realistic peacocks out of chocolate and blueberries…Otherwise, I think we can find some common ground and cut back on our waste in the kitchen, yes?
First of all, it’s important to identify where the waste actually is so we figure out how to increase our sustainability. We have plastic bags for storage, cling wrap to keep our goodies fresh, wax paper to save us messes, cupcake wrappers we chuck after using for a few short moments, and sponges that never stood a chance. Just try to keep a mental tally of every item you toss into the trash, and think … hmm could I have used anything eco friendly in place of this to prevent it going into a landfill?
This post is not sponsored in any way, but you straight up need a few of my favorite essential green items listed below:
-
Glass containers – Pyrex, Tupperware, Gramercy. I have had the same box of Ziploc bags since college (sorry for the brag hehe, just wanted to show it’s possible. Your grandparents didn’t have plastic sandwich bags until almost the 60s and somehow they managed to store their food). I think I use maybe one a year if I need to give something away I don’t anticipate getting back, because hey no one is perfect. Except for the Hemsworth brothers … they’re pretty perfect. I’m not drooling, you are. But for the most part, I bring my lunches, freeze my leftovers, even store batches of cookies in big glass reusable containers and an eco friendly lunch box. And we’re lucky enough to live in an age with classy biodegradable bamboo lidded ones like the set pictured here, so why not?
-
You need an eco friendly silicon baking mat in your life. It is a GAME CHANGER. No more wax paper, oil or dirty pans. Bake on it, rinse it, thank you, next. Being waste free has never been so easy.
-
Silicone lids and reusable bags are straight outta the future. For ceramic bowls or hand made items that didn’t come with a perfectly fitting rubber lid, may I present to you silicone lids in a variety of sizes? Also peep reusable silicon bags for sending snacks to school with the kids (or bringing snacks to work for yourself …) All of your coworkers will be so impressed with your new jazzy green lifestyle upgrades.
-
Silicone cupcake molds. Who needs wrappers? (Though if you have old wrappers you need to use up, toss those puppies in the compost pile afterward.) These are fun and colorful, and did I mention dishwasher friendly?
-
Sponges, ew why? Let me introduce you to bamboo brushes. I’ve had mine for at least a year now, and she’s a beaut. Looks as good as the day I got her, and stands up to tough messes. Stop microwaving that smelly sponge to “kill the germs” and just say goodbye.
Did you find this helpful? Were there other goodies or hacks you think I should mention? Check out my list of eco friendly partners here so you can scoop some of your own zero waste kitchen items. Leave your thoughts in the comments! Happy baking!